TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Bell Atlantic, CWA Closer to Contract: The resolution of remaining issues opens the door to a vote on a tentative accord by the Communication Workers of America, which has been involved in bitter negotiations with Bell Atlantic Corp. for the last six months. The agreement calls for a 10.6% wage increase over three years, a $1,500 ratification bonus and improved health benefits and pensions. The company and union have been hashing out issues since they reached the tentative agreement Jan. 11. Philadelphia-based Bell Atlantic is the last of the seven regional phone companies to come to an agreement with the union. The 34,400 Bell Atlantic CWA members have worked without a contract since Aug. 5. CWA members now have four weeks to vote on the pact.